Court Sets July 15 Deadline for Malik Riaz in Controversial Land Misuse Case

A Rawalpindi accountability court has issued a firm directive ordering Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz Hussain and several co-accused, including his son Ali Riaz and son-in-law Zain Malik, to appear before it no later than July 15, 2025. This relates to a high-profile case involving alleged illegal land transfers and fraudulent practices tied to one of Pakistan’s largest real estate empires. The court summons marks a significant legal escalation in a long-running controversy surrounding Bahria Town’s land acquisitions.

The case, revived through a new First Information Report (FIR) and reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in coordination with the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), centers on allegations that thousands of kanals of government land were illegally transferred to private developers through forged documents, backdated approvals, and collusion with land and forest department officials. The illegally occupied land is spread across Rakh Takht Pari, New Murree, and Golf City and is valued in the tens of billions of rupees.

According to investigators, several land records were tampered with to show false ownership or manipulated to benefit Bahria Town-linked entities. These findings have raised alarm about the scale of elite influence over public resources and the lack of regulatory enforcement in Pakistan’s urban development sector.

Legal observers say the court’s July 15 deadline indicates a shift in judicial posture regarding elite land fraud. “For years, these high-level corruption cases lingered without resolution,” said Islamabad-based legal analyst Khalid Farooq. “This court order sends a clear message that even the most powerful must face legal accountability.”

Malik Riaz, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most influential business figures, has built a vast real estate empire across major cities. Despite facing multiple investigations in the past, he has largely avoided conviction. Critics argue that his political connections and media influence have shielded him from serious legal consequences.

As of now, no public statement has been made by Malik Riaz or his legal team regarding the summons. However, insiders suggest his lawyers are preparing a formal response ahead of the court’s deadline. The court has warned that non-bailable arrest warrants will be issued if the accused fail to comply.

Authorities have already taken steps to freeze assets, seal properties, and initiate extradition efforts for individuals residing abroad. With public pressure mounting for transparency and land reform, many view this case as a critical test of Pakistan’s commitment to the rule of law.